Orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees



Nov. 10, 1953 E. FEINE 2,658,388

ORTHOPEDIC BALANCING APPARATUS FOR LEG AMPUTEES Filed Oct. 25, 1950 s Sheet S-Sheet 1 INVENTUR- ERIcH FEmE.

Nov. 10, 1953 FElNE 2,658,388

ORTHOPEDIC BALANCING APPARATUS FOR LEG AMPUTEES Filed Oct. 25, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 D? Vania/".-

Nov. 10, 1953 E. FElNE 2,658,388

ORTHOPEDIC BALANCING APPARATUS FOR LEG AMPUTEES Filed Oct. 25, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet s INVENTOR. Ema 1 FE/IYE l9. The pivot 22 is provided with an axial boring for accommodating a pin 24 having a pointed end protruding from the pivot 22 the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter. Furthermore, the pivot 22 is rigidly connected to a worm casing 25 connected to a first driving worm 26. If the driving worm 26 is operated, a worm gear 21 is rotated with respect to the pivot 22. A detent pin 28 is resiliently supported by the worm gear 21 and when it is guided by a corresponding boring shown in Fig. 5 of the stirrup 23, the stirrup 23 can be rotated about the pivot 22 only by means of the driving worm 26.

The stirrup 23 carries driving worms 29 and 30 (termed hereinafter the second and third driving worms), respectively, at the outer ends thereof. In order to actuate simultaneously the two driving worms 29 and 30 the latter are prolonged downwards and carry at the lower ends thereof chain wheels 3| and 32, respectively, which are actuated by means of a chain 33 which runs over guiding rollers (not shown) provided below the stirrup 23.

The driving worms 29 and 30 cooperate with worm gears 34 and 35, respectively, which are rigidly connected to pivots 36 and 31, respectively, by which adjusting and clamping devices are supported in the manner to be described more in detail hereinafter. The pivots 36 and 31 have sagitally directed Pivotal axes and are provided with axial borings for accommodating the pointed pins 38 and 39, respectively. By means of detent pins 40 and 4|, respectively, the adjusting and clamping devices can be secured in position with respect to the pivots 36 and 31. A turning of the adjusting and clamping devices can be effected only by means of the driving worms 29 and 30. If the detent pins 28, 40 and 4| are in operating position a clamped socket 42 can only be moved by means of the driving worms 29 and 30 in a direction corresponding to an abduction and adduction and by means of the driving worm 26 in a direction corresponding to a fiexion and extension.

The adjusting and clamping devices will now be described more in detail. The devices comprise two threaded spindles 43 and 44 (termed hereinafter the fifth threaded spindles) which are turnably supported by means of the pivots 36 and 31, respectively. The threaded spindles 43 and 44 extend through tubular sleeves 45 and 46, respectively, which are rigidly connected to a support 41. At their lower ends the threaded spindles 43 and 44 carry chain wheels 48 and 49, respectively, said chain wheels being provided with an internal thread. The support 41 rests on the chain wheels 48 and 49 which are connected with each other by means of a chain 50 which is guided by suitable means (not shown) underneath the support 41. If the chain 50 is driven the support 41 is moved upward or downward in order to carry out an adjustment by which the hip joint of the amputee is adjusted in the level of the plane in which the pivotal axes of the two pivots 36 and 31 and the pivotal axis of the pivot 22 are situated, the socket or bracket 42 being clamped and loaded by part of the weight of the amputee.

A semi-circular adjusting frame 5| is supported by the support 41 for rotation with respect to the support 41 along the circumference of frame 5| through predetermined amounts in both ways, the adjusting frame 5| being guided by rollers (not shown). This axial rotation enables the amputee with clamped and loaded socket 42 to move the socket 42 by means of his stump in a sense of an inward or outward rotation of the leg from the hip joint.

The adjusting frame 5| is provided with a guiding slot 5|a which enables a first rectangular adjusting frame 52 which is led in the guiding slot to be adjusted in frontal direction by means of a threaded spindle 53 (termed hereinafter the sixth threaded spindle). Thus it is accomplished that the hip joint of the amputee can be adjusted to the sagittal turning axes of the pivots 36 and 31. The first rectangular adjusting frame 52 is furthermore provided with a guiding slot i 52a in which a second adjusting frame 54 is guided which is arranged above the first adjusting frame 52. The frame 54 can be adjusted in sagittal direction by means of a threaded spindle 55 (termed hereinafter the seventh threaded spindle). By adjustment of the adjusting frame 54 the hip joint of the amputee is adjusted to the frontal turning axis of the pivot 22.

The clamping device proper comprises rods 56 which are rigidly connected to the adjusting frame 54 and carries clamping frames 51 and 58 for clamping the socket 42. The clamping frames 51 and 58 carry clamping elements 59 and clamping belts 60 (Fig. 2) by which the socket 42 is fixed in position. If the hip joint of the amputee is correctly adjusted and the pins 28, 40, and 4| are withdrawn from the grooves thereof the amputee can move his stump similarly to the movements made in walking, thereby loading the socket 42.

In order to balance the weight in the sagittal plane telescoping weights 6| and 62 are arranged at the lower free ends of the vertical legs 3c, 3b of the vertical frame 3, respectively. The water levels 4b, 4c serve for checking whether the balancing apparatus is in horizontal equilibrium. If with the socket 42 loaded by the amputee the water levels 41), 40, show a deviation the center of gravity of the amputee is adjusted with respect to the balancing apparatus until the water levels indicate the correct equilibrium, the adjustment being done by means of the threaded spindles 1, 8 and 20, the weights I2 and I3 and the telescoping weights 6| and 62. If the amputee is correctly adjusted the water levels give the same indication with the loaded and the unloaded balancing apparatus. The median of the amputee coincides in this case with the line of gravity 63 of the balancing apparatus suspended by means of the ball 2 or a universal joint. Since furthermore all the pivots of the balancing apparatus can be fixed by means of suitable devices a frontal plane AB and a sagittal plane C-D intersecting each other in the line of gravity 63 can be marked on the socket 42. In order to compensate for any diiferences in the size of the body of the amputee the horizontal frame 5 together with the adjusting device 43 to 55 and the clampin device 56 to 60 can be shifted upward or downward along the vertical frame 3. In order to accomplish this threaded spindles 64 and 65 (termed hereinafter the second threaded spindles) are arranged within the vertical legs 30, 3?), respectively, of the vertical frame 3 and carry at their lower ends hand wheels 66 and 61 and at their upper ends chain wheels 68 and 69, respectively. The chain wheels 68 and 69 are connected with each other by a chain 10. In order to mark the frontal plane AB and the sagittal plane CD and thus the course of the median of an amputee on the socket 42 the base lines of the frontal plane AB and the sagittal plane "CD and the vertical projection 12 of the line of gravity 63 of the balancing-apparatus are marked ona bottom board' l l.

With the above described balancing apparatus the objective determinationof the median-of an amputated person is carried out at a planned one-legged attitude on the rim of the socket 42. Furthermore the fixation of the resulting position of the sockett and'the courseo'f the-median of the amputee is carried out by marking the frontal plane AB and the sagittal plane C'D on the socket 4-2. Furthermore the position "of the hip joint of an amputee is ascertained by means of the adjusting device. "Onthe socket the marking of the frontal and sagittal axesof the hip joint is carried out in order to adjust planned proportions between the physiological hip joint of the amputee and the mechanical knee and ankle joint axis of theprot-hesis. The proportion between the position of the hip joint and the course of the median of theamputee is ascertained by means of the balancing apparatus and marked by markings on the socket 42. The perception of the suporting pressure of an amputee during a step-like motion and loading of the socket 42 are checked. By means of the above-described balancing apparatus a planned arrangementof the-axis of the kneeand ankle, of the foot, the ankle, the calf and the knee is "accomplished with respect to the fixed median and to the marked planes -AB and C'D. Furthermore by means of the balancing apparatus the one-legged planned attitude of an amputee on the brim of the socket-42 and-the course 'ofhismedian as it is affected by theartificial leg-are controlled and checked. By means'of the balancing apparatus used as a checking device also checking operations with artificial legs built according to different methods can be carried out such as the checking of the attitudeon the brim of-the socket and the course of the median-of the amputee.

The operation of the balancing apparatus described hereinabove is as follows:

If the balancing apparatus is not loaded the water levels db and to stand at zero and thus indicate the effectiveness of the same. It now a prefabricated socket 42 or a bucket consisting of a thermoplastic material or the like is clamped by means of the clamping device :56 to 6B, the water levels db and to indicate a deviation from the zero position because the weight of thesocket 42 and the weight of the parts of the balancing apparatus suspended from the ball .2 have changed the center of gravity thereof. Of course. the clamping device. for the ball 2 has to be released so that the new center of gravity can adjust itself in the vertical line through the ball 2. By means of the shiftable weights ['2 and iii a frontal deviation of the water levels 41) and 4c is compensated whereas a sagittal deviation of the water levels is compensated by means of the telescoping weights 5! and 62.

When the water levels are once more in their zero position two balance tests are carried out in order to ascertain the changes of equilibrium caused by the socket 42.

In the first of these tests the horizontal frame 5 is transported to the right or the left with respect to the brackets 6 for instance through 10 mm. by means of the threaded spindles I and 8, the chain wheels '9 and Land the chain I l. The amount of this shifting is read on a millimeter graduation (not shown) which is provided on the. frontal legs. 51) and 5c of the, horizontal frame 5.

6 Owing to this shifting :movement the'water'levels 4b and lc indicate a deviation from thepzero position which is restored by a shifting of the weights l2 and I3 abouta certain amount, for instance 20 mm.-

The second test is carriedout in sagittal direction by actuating the threaded spindle 20 and the :weights B l and 62. The distance traversed in-this test by -the sliding bridge 19 is 'read-on-a millimetergraduation .(not shown) on thesagittal logic of the horizontal frame 5..

If now at alater time during'the adjustment of the median of the amputee into coincidence with the line of gravity B3 of the balancing sapparatus a horizontal-frontal shifting of \the amputee and thus of the horizontal frame i5 is required, for instance through .10 z-mm., it is known that inorder to obtain equilibrium conditions of the balancing apparatus proper including the weight of the socket 42, a shifting of the weights l2 and I3 through 20 mm..or in the ratio of 1:2 is required. In the same manner horizontal-'sagittal shiftingoperationssare carried out.

After this preparation the amputee is placed in the balancing apparatus, his amputation stump being supported by the socket 42.. By actuation of the threaded spindles E4 and 65 by means of the hand wheels 66 and M, the chain wheels 68 and -59, and the chain 1TB the correct heightof the socket 42 .is adjusted. The amputee is standing now in the balancing zapparatus as if he were standing :on .two legs. .It should be understood that the .detent pins .28, M1 and M are in inoperative position during this operation. In consequence thereof the amputee can move by means of his stump the :socket t2 together with the stirrup 2.3 movable about the pivot 22', the adjusting device 43. vto 55 and the clamping device 56 to 60 :being turnably supported by the pivots 36 and 31, this movement taking place in two planes. If the frontally aligned amputee standing in the balancing apparatus feels that his-stump has to be moved in a sense-of an inversion or an eversion in .order to assume a natural position, an axial rotation of the adjusting frame 51 with respect to the support t'l is effected by means of a threaded spindle (not shown). If new the pointed pins 24, '38 and '39 provided in the axial borings .of the pivots'22, 3% and 3 5, respectively, are pressed against the moving socket 42, certain curves are traced on the latter "which show that the axes of the pivots 2 2, 35 and .3? do not coincide with the physiological axes of rotation of the hip joint :of the amputated side of theamputee. In order to achieve the necessary coincidence the. detent pins '45 and d! are brought into operative position so that the socket 42 can only be moved in connection with the stirrup 23 about the frontal pivot '22. By means of the threaded spindles 43 and M, the chain wheels: 4'3 and iii, and the chain 55, the socket 4 2 and the hip joint; of the amputated side are vertically adjusted to; the correct height. By. means of the. threaded spindle 55. they are adjusted to the frontal axis: of the pivot 22. If the adjustment is correct. the point of the adjusting pin 2-4 can be pushed into the socket 42 so that the latter can be moved about the thus formed axis. This shows a coincidence of the physiological turning axis of the hip joint with the pivotal axis of the pivot, 22', at the same time a marking being effectedon the, socket. Now. the detent pins-d0 and M; are brought into inoperative position: whereas the detent pin 28 is brought into operative po. sition. By means of the threaded spindle 53 a coincidence with the sagittal turning axis is obtained and a corresponding marking made on the frontal side of the socket 42. In order to check the perceptions of the supporting pressure of the amputee the detent pins 28, 40 and 4| are then brought into inoperative position so that the amputee can carry out steplike movements during which the greater part of the load of his body is resting on the brim of the socket 42. If local pressure preceptions are felt, the same are remedied by changing the shape of the brim of the socket until a uniform preception of supporting pressure is achieved.

Subsequentlya planned one-legged attitude of the amputee on the brim of the socket 42 is determined. In order to accomplish this the ball 2 is fixed in position by means of the hand wheel 13. The detent pins 28, 40, and 4| are brought into operative position. Then the amputee withdraws his healthy leg from the floor and is supported only by the brim of the socket 42 as in taking a step. As a planned attitude corresponding to the attitude of a healthy man during this phase of the step is assumed a raising of the pelvis on the unsupported side and a bending of the spine convexly to the supporting leg, i. e. the artificial leg. As the attitude of the upper part of the trunk of the amputee is determined by the position of the socket 42 and the socket brim as supporting elements for the center of gravity of the amputee during one-legged standing, the position of the socket 42 and the brim of the same is changed by means of the driving worms 26, 29 and 30 so that the planned attitude is brought about by force. It should be noted that the socket 42 and the brim thereof must form suitable supporting elements obtained by a method which does not form part of this invention.

Then the objective determination of the median of the amputee is carried out. In order to do that at first the fixing of the ball 2 is released by means of the hand wheel 13. The heel of the healthy leg of the amputee is brought to the base line of the sagittal plane CD, the amputee distributing the weight of his body as uniformly as possible to his healthy leg and to the socket 42. In this two-legged attitude the water levels 4b and 4c are adjusted to zero position and thus the equilibrium conditions inside the balancing apparatus including the socket 42 are achieved, the weights l2 and I3, 6| and 62 being correspondingly shifted, if necessary. Now the sagittal plane CD divides the body of the amputee into a right half and a left half, and coincides with the median plane. Since the water levels 4b and 4c are in zero position the vertical frame 3 is aligned exactly in the direction nose-umbilicus-base line CD. Consequently the center of gravity of the upper part of the trunk of the amputee is situated in the median plane. On the horizontal frame the position with respect to the bracket 5 is read on the millimeter graduation. Then the amputee withdraws his healthy leg from the fioor. Since the detent pins 28, 40 and 4| are in operative position and the driving worms 26, 29 and 30 are not actuated, the amputee can and must retake at once the planned one-legged attitude on the brim of the socket. The water levels 4b and 4c indicate again a deviation since the positions of the weights have been changed. Now the amputee is frontally and sagittally transported by means of the threaded spindles I and 8, the chain wheels 9 and I0 and the chain II and the threaded spindle 20 until the water levels are once more adjusted to zero. By shifting the weights l2 and I3, 6| and 62 the equilibrium within the balancing apparatus is restored. Now the amputee leaves the balancing apparatus. If the median line of the amputee was correctly adjusted to coincide with the line of gravity 63 of the balancing apparatus and the weights l2 and I3, 5| and 62 were correctly adjusted the water levels 4b and 4c will be in zero position even if the balancing apparatus is not loaded by the amputee. In this case the ball 2 is fixed by means of the hand wheel 13. On the frontal leg of the horizontal frame 5 the distance is read by which the center of gravity has been shifted by changing the two-legged attitude to the onelegged attitude. On the socket 42 the planes A-B and CD can be easily marked with the aid of the base lines A-B and CD, the line of intersection of these planes coinciding with the line of gravity 63 and thus with the median line of the amputee.

If a bilateral amputee is to be taken care of by the balancing apparatus, the procedure is on principle the same as with a unilateral amputee. Only the former uses an artificial leg as a support on one side. If an artificial leg is not available he is provided with a provisional artificial leg made from a plaster cast or the like with a wooden support, the weight of the provisional appliance corresponding to the weight of the permanent artificial leg.

By an exact determination and fixation of the line of gravity, the frontal plane AB, the sagittal plane CD, the two axes of the hip joint and the position of the socket and the brim thereof as supporting elements the results of the scientific research especially the dynamicstatic results of the analysis of the steps of healthy persons can be exactly applied to the manufacture of an artificial leg.

The balancing apparatus is used as a checking appliance for artificial legs, the balancing apparatus being preferably combined with an X-ray apparatus. The course of the line of gravity through the artificial leg in the onelegged attitude on the brim of the socket, the deviation of the line of gravity from the median plane, the attitude of the upper part of the trunk on the brim of the socket in general, and of the pelvis and the spine in particular, are checked. At a glance it is ascertained from the position of the base point 12 where the median line of the amputee intersects the sole of his artificial leg.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of balancing apparatuses differing from the types described above.

While I have illustrated and described the invention as embodied in an orthopedic balancing apparatus, I do not intend to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without detparting in any way from the spirit of my invenion.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of my invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects 9. of. this invention. and, therefore, such. adaptations. should: and arev intended to be comprehended within the meaning andrangeof equivalence. of the. following claims.

What. I. claim. as new and. desire. to secure. by Letters Patent is:

1. An orthopedic balancing apparatus. for leg amputees comprising, inv combination, a. frame; a universal. joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee. and of the balancing apparatus;. a device for supporting a. socket and the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal jointv so as to be movablev in. three planes; and. means included inv said device. for moving said socket. and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence with. the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when theamputee assumes a planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket.

2. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers ofgravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee; said device being suspended from said frameby said universaljoint so as to be movable in three planes; and means included in said device for moving said. socket and for bringing the median line of the. amputee into coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes a planned onelegged attitude on the brim of said socket.

3. An orthopedic balancing. apparatus for le amputees comprising, in combination, aframe; a universal joint arranged in said frame above thelevels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device forclamping a.socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, saiddevice including averticalframe and a horizontal frame movable horizontally and vertically with respect to. said vertical frame; and means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence Withthe line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes av planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket.

4; An orthopedic balancing apparatusfor leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal jo-int'arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device for clampingv a socket and supporting the amputee, saiddevice being suspended from said. frame by saiduniversal joint so as to be movable inthree planes, said device including a vertical frame and. a

horizontal frame and brackets connecting said horizontal frame with saidvertical frame so that said horizontal frame is movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame;

and. means included in saiddevice for moving said socket andfor bringing. the median line of the amputee, into coincidence. with the line. of gravity of, the, balancing apparatus, when the amputee assumes a planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket.

5. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity-of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device hav- I0 ing means for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said. frame. by said. universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, said device including a vertical frame and a horizontal frame and brackets connecting said. horizontal frame with said vertical frame so that said horizontal frame is movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame; and means includedin said. device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes a planned one-legged. attitude on the brim ofisaid socket, said moving, means. including a first threaded spindle rotatably arranged in said horizontal frame in a horizontal-sagittal direction and. being operatively connected to said socketclamping means so as to. shift the same in horizontal-sagittal direction with respect to the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus.

6. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged. in saidframe. above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of. thevbalancing apparatus; a device having means for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being. suspended from said frame by said universal jointiso as tobe movable in three planes, said device including a vertical frame and a horizontal frame and brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so that said horizontal frame is movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame; and means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence with theline of gravity of the. balancing apparatus when. the amputee assumesiavplanned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket, said moving. means including a first threaded spindle rotatably arranged insaid horizontal frame in a horizontal-sagittal direction and being operatively connected to said socket-clamping means so as to shift the same in horizontal-sagittal direction with respect'to the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus, second threaded. spindles rotatably arrangedin said vertical frame and respectively being connected with. said brackets connecting. said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so as to shift saidhorizontal frame upwards and downwards, manually operated means connected to said second spindles for rotating the same, and means connecting said second spindles together'for rotation together.

7. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame;

in three planes, said device including a'vertical frame and a horizontal frameand brackets connecting said horizontal'frame' with said verticalframe so that'said'h'orizontal frame is movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame; and means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into'coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus" when'the amputee assumes a planned one-legged attitudeon the brim of said-socket, sa-idsocket moving means including a first threaded spindle rotatably arranged in said horizontal frame in a horizontal-sagittal direction and being operatively connected to said socket-clamping means so as to shift the same in horizontal-sagittal direction with respect to the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus, second threaded spindles rotatably arranged in said vertical frame and respectively being connected with said brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so as to shift said horizontal frame upwards and downwards, manually operated means connected to said second spindles for rotating the same, means connecting said second spindles together for rotation together, third threaded spindles rotatably arranged in said horizontal frame, said third spindles extending in directions perpendicular to said horizontalsagittal direction of said first spindle and connected with said brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so as to shift said horizontal frame frontally with respect to said vertical frame, and means connecting said third spindles together for rotation together so that said horizontal frame is uniformly shifted with respect to said vertical frame.

8. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device having means for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, said device including avertical frame and a horizontal frame and brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame, so that said horizontal frame is movable horizontallya nd vertically with respect to said vertical frame, said horizontal frame having a sagittal leg and two frontal legs; and means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes a planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket, said socket moving means including a first threaded spindle rotatably arranged in said horizontal frame in a horizontal-sagittal direction and being operatively connected to said socket-clamping means so as to shift the same in horizontal-sagittal direction with respect to the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus, second threaded spindles rotatably arranged in said vertical frame and respectively being connected with said bracket connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so as to shift said horizontal frame upwards and downwards, manually operated means connected to said second spindles for rotating the same, mean connecting said second spindles together for rotation together, third threaded spindles rotatably arranged in said frontal legs, respectively, of said horizontal frame, said third spindles extending in directions perpendicular to said sagittal leg of said horizontal frame and connected with said brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so as to shift said horizontal frame frontally with respect to said vertical frame, means connecting said third spindles together for rotation together so that said horizontal frame is uniformly shifted with respect to said vertical frame, weights arranged, respectively, shiftably on said frontal legs of said horizontal frame, fourth threaded spindles arranged coaxially, respectively, with said third spindles 12 i and being connected to said weights for shifting the same on said frontal legs of said horizontal frame, and means connecting said fourth spindles together for rotation together so as to impart simultaneously shifts to said weights.

9. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device having means for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, said device including a vertical frame and a horizontal frame and brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame, so that said horizontal frame is movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame, said vertical frame having two vertical legs and said horizontal frame having a sagittal leg and two frontal legs; and means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes a planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket, said socket moving means including a first threaded spindle rotatably arranged in said horizontal frame in a horizontal-sagittal direction and being operatively connected to said socket-clamping means so as to shift the same in horizontal-sagittal direction with respect to the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus, a pair of second threaded spindle rotatably arranged in said vertical legs of said vertical frame, respectively, and being connected with said brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so as to shift said horizontal frame upwards and downwards, manually operated means connected to said second spindles for rotating the same, means connecting said second spindles together for rotation together, third threaded spindles rotatably arranged in said frontal legs, respectively, of said horizontal frame, said third spindles extending in directions perpendicular to said sagittal leg of said horizontal frame and connected with said brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so as to shift said horizontal frame frontally with respect to said vertical frame, means connecting said third spindles together for rotation together so that said horizontal frame is uniformly shifted with respect to said vertical frame, weight arranged, respectively, shiftably on said frontal legs of said horizontal frame. fourth threaded spindles arranged coaxially, respectively, with said third spindles and being connected to said weights for shifting the same on said frontal legs of said horizontal frame, means for connecting said fourth spindles together for rotation together so as to impart simultaneously shifts to said weights, and telescoping weights arranged, respectively, on said vertical legs of said vertical frame, said telescoping weights being shiftable in directions normal to said vertical legs of said vertical frame and balancing the weight of said horizontal and vertical frames in the sagittal plane of the balancing apparatus.

10. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, said device including a vertical frame and a horizontal frame movable horizontally and vertically With respect to said vertical frame; three pivots mounted on said horizontal frame substantially in the plane thereof and connected to support said socket, two of said pivots being located opposite each other along one horizontal axis substantially in said plane and the third of said pivots being located laterally of said one axis and along another horizontal axis substantially in said plane, said axes being normal to each other and intersecting at one point so that the hip joint of the amputated side of the amputee can be brought to coincidence with the point of intersection of said axes of said pivots; means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes a planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket; and means connecting said socket moving means with said pivots for moving a socket clamped in said clamping device only in directions corresponding to an abduction, an adduction, a flexion and an extension, respectively.

11. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, said device including a vertical frame and a horizontal frame movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame; three pivots mounted on said horizontal frame substantially in the plane thereof and connected to support said socket, two of said pivots being located opposite each other along one horizontal axis substantially in said plane and the third of said pivots being located laterally of said one axis and along another horizontal axis substantially in said plane, said axes being normal to each other extending sagitally and frontally, respectively, and intersecting at one point so that the hip joint of the amputated side of the amputee can be brought to coincidence with the point of intersection of the axes of said pivots; and a device for changing the position of said socket clamped by said clamping device and being carried by the latter, said position changing device including means for changing rotatively, frontally, sagittally and vertically the position of said socket and the hip joint of the amputated side of the amputee loading said socket relatively to the frontally directed and sagittally directed pivotal axes of said pivots and bringing the hip joint to coincidence with the point of intersection of said pivotal axes of said pivots.

12. An orthopedic balancing apparatus for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the ampu tee and of the balancing apparatus; a device for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, said device including a vertical frame and a horizontal frame movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame; three pivots mounted on said horizontal frame substantially in the plane thereof and connected to 14 support said socket, two of said pivots being located opposite each other along one horizontal axis substantially in said plane and the third of said pivots being located laterally of said one axis and along another horizontal axis substantially in said plane, said axes being normal to each other and intersecting at one point so that the hip joint of the amputated side of the amputee can be brought to coincidence with the point of intersection of the said axes of said pivots, said pivots each being formed with an axial bore; pins having pointed ends and being arranged, respectively, in said bores; means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into' coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes a planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket; and means connecting said socket moving means with said pivots for moving a socket clamped in said clamping device only in directions corresponding to an abduction, an adduction, a flexion and an extension, respectively.

13. An orthopedic balancing arrangement for leg amputees comprising, in combination, a frame; a universal joint arranged in said frame above the levels of the centers of gravity of the amputee and of the balancing apparatus; a device having means for clamping a socket and supporting the amputee, said device being suspended from said frame by said universal joint so as to be movable in three planes, and said device including a vertical frame, a horizontal frame and brackets connecting said horizontal frame with said vertical frame so that said horizontal frame is movable horizontally and vertically with respect to said vertical frame; means included in said device for moving said socket and for bringing the median line of the amputee into coincidence with the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus when the amputee assumes a planned one-legged attitude on the brim of said socket; a first threaded spindle forming part of said socket moving means and rotatably arranged in said. horizontal frame in a horizontalsagittal direction; a bridge arranged on said horizontal frame and being slidable in sagittal direction by means of said first spindle, said bridge supporting said socket-clamping means and being moved by rotation of said first threaded spindle so as to shift said socket-clamping means in horizontal-sagittal direction with respect to the line of gravity of the balancing apparatus; three pivots mounted on said bridge substantially in the plane of said horizontal frame and connected to support said socket-clamping means, two of said pivots being located opposite each other along one horizontal axis substantially in said plane and the third of said pivots being located laterally of said one axis and along another horizontal axis substantially in said plane, said axes being normal to each other and intersecting at one point; means turnably arranged on said third pivot and connected to said bridge; and means for fixing the position of said turnable means with respect to said bridge, the other two pivots being mounted on said turnably arranged means.

ERICH FEINE.

Country Date France Sept. 20, 1943 Number 

